Evaluation of Efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy as an Adjuvant Therapy in Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1234Keywords:
Diabetic foot ulcers, limb amputation, wound debridement, wound healing, Pulsed electromagnetic field therapyAbstract
Background and Aim: Foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. The life time risk of
developing foot ulcer is 25 % with an annual incidence of 2-3% and may result in limb amputation if left
untreated. Diabetic foot ulcers are conventionally treated with wound debridement and off loading. Proper
wound healing is uncertain in conservative management of these ulcers. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field
therapy is a new modality that interacts at various steps in wound healing. This study aims at evaluating the
efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as an adjunct therapy in diabetic foot ulcers. Method and
materials: Thirty patients with mean duration of Diabetes 7.8 ±1.47 yrs, mean duration of foot ulcer 4.9±1.2
months with Wagner’s grade 1 and 2 were subjected to Pulsed electromagnetic field for 45 min/day for 30
days Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using student paired t -test Results: The patients showed overall
66% ±15% reduction in the wound surface area. Less than 50 % reduction is reported in 2 of the patients.
About 50-59% reduction is noted in 6 patients, 11 patients showed 60-69% reduction, 7 patients showed 70-
79% reduction, 2 patients more than 90% reduction and 2 patients showed 80-89% reduction in the wound
area. None of them reported any side effects. P value of <0.05 was taken to be significant. Discussion and
conclusion: Significant reduction in wound surface area observed could be due to Pulsed Electromagnetic
Field therapy that helped in healing of tissues, improved circulation and reduced inflammation. Thus PEMF
can be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for treating diabetic foot ulcers.
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